Parker Ladd, a former publishing executive at Charles Scribner's Sons, a director of the Association of American Publishers and cofounder of Literacy Partners, died on November 14 at home. He was 89.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Ladd began his career in books as a bookseller in Sweden before relocating to New York by way of Los Angeles. After working at Scribner's he joined the AAP in its New York office. In addition to his time at Scrinber's, Ladd, with his husband, Arnold Scaasi, and friend Liz Smith, founded Literacy Partners, a nonprofit organization that has hosted free adult education classes for more than 25,000 adults in New York City since its inception; the trio also produced an Evening of Readings gala that has raised millions of dollars for Literacy Partners programs.
Following his retirement from publishing, he launched a second career as a television producer and host for the A&E program Open Book, an interview talk show featuring authors and their work. Later, he developed and produced an interview-format breakfast series at the Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., called the Book and Author Breakfast.
.A graveside service will be private. Donations may be made to the Scassi-Ladd Book Fund.
